Second-inns performances a concern- Dhoni

Cricket News:
India have endured anxious second innings in three out of their previous four Tests because of top-order collapses at P Sara, Mohali and Motera.It's made for riveting watching but MS Dhoni is aware of the problem and, although he isn't overly concerned since the results have been favourable, he doesn't like it. "Our performance in the second innings is not that great in recent times. We were a bit worried," Dhoni said on the eve of the second Test against New Zealand in Hyderabad.

"The kind of experience we have, if you can do well in the first innings there's no reason you can repeat it in the second." Those horrible starts ended pleasantly for India because VVS Laxman came to their rescue. He scored an unbeaten 103 after India were 62 for 4 in Colombo, an unbeaten 73 when his team was reeling at 124 for 8 in Mohali, and 91 after India were reduced to 15 for 5 in Ahmedabad. The last fall down was the most surprising, because it occurred on a lifeless pitch for the duration of one inspired spell from Chris Martin.

This New Zealand attack was thought incapable of disturbing the most experienced line-up in the world. Even the most skilled line-ups in the world, though, are vulnerable to palpitations. Dhoni spoke of the mild panic in the dressing-room as the match lurched from heading towards an inevitable draw to India being a wicket away from defeat. "Of course there was, frankly speaking, but we knew we needed one partnership," he said. "What happens when you lose quick wickets is that your heartbeat goes up and at times you tend to commit mistakes.